The latest Mike Foltynewicz MLB and fantasy baseball news

Fantasy Tip: Foltynewicz is battling Eric Stults and Cody Martin for the final starting job. He worked in relief, posting a 5.30 ERA in 16 appearances with the Houston Astros in 2014. He'll only have fantasy appeal if he wins a rotation job.

Atlanta Braves SP Mike Minor (shoulder) will be shut down indefinitely and will visit with a specialist in the next few days, according president of baseball operations John Hart. The team is taking a proactive approach, and they're hoping it's not a season-ending injury. Hart also said Minor might have another MRI exam on his shoulder. SPs Eric Stults, Wandy Rodriguez, Mike Foltynewicz and Manny Banuelos are competing for the fifth rotation spot, but if Minor isn't ready to start the season, the Braves could go with two of those pitchers in the rotation.

Fantasy Tip: The Braves are definitely hoping this injury is minor. But after Minor's frustrating 2014 season in which he dealt with plenty of shoulder woes, this can't be a good sign early in spring. Minor was considered a sleeper candidate before this news after being just a year removed from a 13-9 season in which he posted an ERA of 3.21 and a K/9 of 8.0 in 32 starts. Minor might still be worth a late-round stab in mixed leagues, but definitely keep an eye on the results of his shoulder tests.

Atlanta Braves SP Wandy Rodriguez has impressed so far in his spring workouts, and he is a leading candidate for the No. 5 starting rotation spot. Rodriguez is competing with SPs Eric Stults, Mike Foltynewicz and Manny Banuelos for the spot. The Braves could consider putting Foltynewicz or Banuelos in the bullpen if they don't win the job. Rodriguez has made only 18 starts the last two years due to injuries, and he was 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in six starts with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2014. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Rodriguez is healthy and throwing the ball with little effort.

Fantasy Tip: Rodriguez would only be an option as a late-round pick in deep mixed leagues if he wins that final rotation spot. There's a lot of spring competition left, so we likely won't know for a while. Stay tuned.

Houston Astros SP Mike Foltynewicz will be called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City Friday, Aug. 1. He was 7-7 with a 5.08 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 102 2/3 innings this year, but he'll likely pitch out of the bullpen in Houston. He was selected No. 19 overall in the draft in 2010.

Fantasy Tip: This top prospect obviously has high strikeout upside, but he does fantasy owners no good in Houston's bullpen. If he gains a rotation job sometime in the second half, look to add him only in AL leagues.

Houston Astros P Mike Foltynewicz is focused on throwing more four-seam fastballs and will stop throwing his two-seam fastball because the potential for injury the throwing motion could cause. He also stopped throwing his slider because he was dealing with some soreness in his elbow.